Gezicht op Nevada Fall in Yosemite Valley, Californië before 1886

This black and white photograph, taken by George Fiske, shows Nevada Fall in Yosemite Valley. Fiske’s work emerged at a time when the American West was being both mythologized and transformed by expansion. He captured Yosemite’s majestic landscapes, reflecting a period of romanticizing nature. However, it’s important to remember the indigenous Ahwahneechee people, who were displaced from this land as it became a national park and tourist destination. Fiske’s photographs, while seemingly celebrating untouched wilderness, also participated in the erasure of native presence. How do we reconcile the beauty captured in Fiske's images with the knowledge of the land's complex history? The emotional impact of his photographs continues to resonate, reminding us of the power of landscape to evoke both awe and critical reflection. They serve as a reminder of the stories that landscapes hold, both visible and unseen.